Match of the Round
Broadmeadow Magic v Maitland FC
Magic Park, Friday 8pm
Broadmeadow Magic coach Jason Konjarski believed his side would have to be at their best if they went to take any points from Maitland FC this Friday.
Magic will return to Magic Park for the first time since they were dealt with a heavy 8-2 defeat against rivals Newcastle Olympic in round one.
But they will have some confidence that this time won’t be a repeat at home after they turned things around to secure a 4-2 win over Adamstown Rosebud FC last weekend.
Broadmeadow looked like a different team against the Buds, with threatening runs in behind and crucial defending in front of goal.
Konjarski believes this Friday will be their biggest test yet against the reigning premiers.
“The girls love a Friday night game. We always seem to get a good crowd out for it.
“Hopefully people know that Magic is a team to watch now.
“It is still one game at a time. We have a fresh start.
“We will really be up for it. Getting the win now is important.
“We know that these guys are favourites for every cup and the competition this year. They have recruited very well.
“They are very dangerous and their depth will be massive for them this year.
“It will be a very good contest, we know that we need to be really switched on.
“I think the competition will be a lot closer this year with all of the teams. I think beating any team will be a massive three points.
“They [Maitland] are my favourites and beating them would be a very big result for us.
“Even taking a point from Maitland at this stage of the season would be massive.”
Konjarski was pleased with his side’s efforts in attack against the Buds and said their main focus ahead of Friday’s match would be on their defensive unit.
“Having the speed we do and getting in behind the back line is something that teams will start to fear,” Konjarski said.
“Going forward we are blessed with the girls that we have up top that we can let them do what they for best and it usually flows.
“I think our defensive shape is the biggest thing we need to work on.
“It was pleasing not to concede from open play against Adamstown. I thought we scrambled well and sort of limited opportunities from open play.
“Defensively on set pieces we looked weak. That is something that we will be working on this week for sure.
“We have to go out hard, fast and be compact in defence.”
Magic will be without new signing Alexis Andrews as she returns to America to have knee surgery. Konjarski said that she is expected to return to Australia in four to six weeks. Ava Lidden will also be ruled out this week due to a knee injury.
Maitland coach Joe Wright was hopeful to build on their momentum after a 1-1 draw against Lake Macquarie City FC and a 3-1 win over New Lambton in their first two matches.
“I think the girls were very happy to get a positive outcome on the scoreboard and an improved performance,” Wright said.
“You can only prepare on face value. I thought they [Broadmeadow] had a tough result in round one but then had a quality result against Adamstown. They have shown that they have players that can hurt you.
“We will have to do our due diligence ahead of the weekend and we won’t take anything for granted. They [Magic] are a very good side.
“All games are going to be competitive this season.
“Momentum is key. If you can get some good early momentum it puts you in a strong position moving forward.
“It would be very nice to get another win.”
The Magpies could be without three of their key players for a second week in a row with Sophie Stapleford (ankle), Georgia Amess and Tahlia Gossner all touch and go for Friday night.
But Wright was impressed with the quality in the depth of his squad and believed they can get the job done again to secure three points against Broadmeadow.
“I was very pleased with the players that came into our squad that weren’t in there on week one and did an admirable job,” Wright said.
“I think that it is exciting to see new and young players make an impact. The depth has helped to put us in some good stead.”
Newcastle Olympic v Adamstown Rosebud JFC
Darling Street Oval, Sunday 5pm
Adamstown Rosebud JFC coach Martin Slade said his side will dust themselves off and go again when they travel to Darling Street Oval to face Newcastle Olympic on Sunday afternoon.
After stating that “tongues would be wagging” heading into their first match of the season, the Buds were dealt a harsh reality check with a 4-2 loss to Broadmeadow Magic.
They will have a tough challenge this weekend as they lineup against the ‘team to beat’ away from home.
Despite his disappointment in their first match of the season, Slade knew his side would be ready to go against Olympic in round three.
“Our priority shifts to Olympic and focus on the rest of the season,” Slade said.
“We have to pick ourselves up and have another go.”
One of the most surprising changes for Adamstown in their first hit out was former striker Tanya Jones lining up in central defence.
But Slade said that the positional switch was nothing new and something that they had worked on during the preseason.
“Tanya wasn't a last minute switch, she has been playing throughout preseason. It was something that we identified with her ball skills and physicality,” Slade said.
Over the offseason, Adamstown picked up multiple former Olympic players including Marion Dunbabbin, Evie Horgan and Georgia Cook.
They will be eager to prove themselves against their former club and serve Olympic their first loss of the season.
Olympic is full of confidence after two dominant wins against New Lambton FC (6-1) and Lake Macquarie City FC (5-2).
They have proved that they are a threat across the park, with multiple players that can cause havoc in attack and a strong defensive unit.
New signings Rhali Dobson, Maddy Howard, Laura Hall, Alex Huynh and Sarah King have seamlessly slipped into the Olympic lineup and helped the club put their mark on the competition as title contenders.
Craig Atkins will hope that his side can make it three from three and retain their position at the top of the table for another week.
Charlestown Azzurri v Lake Macquarie City FC
Lisle Carr Oval, Saturday 4pm
Lake Macquarie City FC will continue to search for their first win in the NPLW NNSW competition when they travel to Lisle Carr Oval to take on Charlestown Azzurri on Saturday.
The Roosters started their season with a positive 1-1 draw against Maitland FC but then went down 5-2 to Newcastle Olympic in round two.
The league’s newest side has shown promise in attack but will need to tighten up their defense this weekend to stop the likes of Azzurri’s Madi Gallegos and Melina Ayres causing trouble in front of goal.
Lakes will have to be at their best if they want to secure three points against the reigning champions away from home.
Azzurri started their 2025 campaign with a HMRI Charity Shield win and a dominant 6-1 win over New Lambton FC before they served the bye in round two.
The Blues will be desperate to get back out on the pitch and keep their winning ways going.
Despite multiple new faces amongst the squad, Azzurri’s style of play has remained the same in the new season, with a high press and a disciplined back line on display.
The offseason did not hurt Charlestown’s momentum so it is unlikely one week off would either as they hunt for back-to-back wins in front of a home crowd.
Bye – New Lambton FC